Thursday, 4 December 2025

 The SPEAKER (17:35): Members, before I adjourn the house, just to keep you all here for a short time longer, I would like to, given this is the last full sitting week of the year, sincerely thank you all for your contributions to this house over the last year. To our staff in the Parliament and in our electorates, my thanks to you for everything you do to support us as members. To our clerks Bridget, Vaughn and Paul, and to all those that advise and support us at the table, thank you for keeping this house running smoothly. To the table and papers office, your calm and tireless work is appreciated by all of us every day. To the Department of Parliamentary Services, especially secretary Trish Burrows and her leadership team of Matt, Paul, Lisa, Adam, Catherine and Tina, we are grateful to you all for the work you do to support us as members of Parliament. To the Serjeant-at-Arms and his office, even though he is home sick, thank you for supporting the thousands of guests that come through our Parliament every year. Your efforts in opening the Parliament to the public are always appreciated.

To Carolyn and the library team, thank you for the research and technical support you provide to us every day. The education of staff, MPs and members of the public is a vital asset and one we are fortunate to enjoy. To James and the Hansard team, your broadcasting and record keeping are so crucial to maintaining the history of this place. Thank you for the late nights and hard work over the last 12 months, and as always, you look fabulous in your bow ties and I hope you will wear them again next week. To John and the building and grounds team, we are privileged to work in such a beautiful and historic building. Thank you for your custodianship of the Parliament and for maintaining such an important place for Victorians. To Paul and the catering team, we are very fortunate to enjoy your incredible hospitality. You are always so cheerful and create such a happy space for members, guests and the public to enjoy, and we are appreciative of the endless coffees. To the IT team, we would all be lost without you. Thank you for keeping us connected, especially when we leave Parliament and return to our homes.

To my acting speakers – the members for Clarinda, Yan Yean, Hastings, Glen Waverley, Frankston, Bellarine, Wendouree, Shepparton, Greenvale, Box Hill, Narracan, Monbulk and Preston – the work that you have done is incredibly important to the functioning of this house, and I am very pleased that all of you have taken on this role and continue to execute it with such professionalism. I especially want to acknowledge the Deputy Speaker. Thank you in particular for the time you spent this year as our Acting Speaker. Your dedication to your position is a testament to your incredible courage. Thank you, thank you. I would also like to thank the tours and customer service unit team. To Audrey, Mark, Bronwyn, Glen, Grace, Vicki, Justin, James, Karl, Meghann and Harry: you are the face of this Parliament in the community and our much-valued assistants here in the chamber. Thank you for supporting us every day. I would also like to thank the President of the Council, the Honourable Shaun Leane, for his work in the Council chambers and his staff this year as well.

Last but not least, to Tom in the Speaker’s office –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Please do not encourage him. Thank you for your dedication to your role, for your wise but not always followed counsel and for being a good friend and listener to all. And to my electorate office staff – Sam, Pam, Lela, Marty and Lynda – thank you. We cannot do what we do as local members without you. Members, to you and your families: I wish you a very happy Christmas and new year, and I look forward to seeing you all for the final year of the term. However, we do have one more sitting day next week, and we will all be back then. Thank you, members.